According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million women world-wide are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Breast cancer risk factors span from those that are not easily treated such as age and family history, to those that may be easily minimized by leading a healthy lifestyle. Though there are multiple factors that can contribute to cancer risk, body weight proves to have the strongest evidence linking it to cancer. Excess body weight contributes to as many as 1 out of 5 of all cancer-related deaths.
Recently, studies from both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Cancer Research Fund concluded that there is substantial evidence that being obese or overweight can promote breast cancer following menopause. The study also found that women over the age of 18 who gained 60 or more pounds had double the risk of being diagnosed with post-menopausal breast cancer compared to women who lived physically active lives and had a lower body mass index.
Reaching an appropriate, healthy weight can often be challenging. However, it is important to maintain positive lifestyle habits to not only prevent your risk of life-threatening illnesses, but is also essential to maintaining plastic surgery results. While I do perform body contouring procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, and mommy makeover surgery to help patients achieve a slimmer, thinner contour, plastic surgery should not be a “quick-fix” but rather assist you in achieving your goals. I always promise that I will do my part to meet your desired cosmetic goals, but also place the utmost importance that you do your part to preserve a successful procedure outcome.
If you’re looking to make the first steps towards healthy lifestyle changes, our in-house NESTA Weight Management Specialist, Jackie Madison is here to help. With the Lifestyle & Weight Management program, Jackie will help coach you through your pre and post-surgery transition by teaching you how to commit to an active lifestyle, achieve weight loss and weight management goals, provide effective eating habits, manage your time, assist with battling stress and more.
If you are interested in any of the cosmetic procedures I perform, please contact Southern Plastic Surgery, P.C. today. Be sure to connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for plastic surgery news.